This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7077443.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pakistan wakes to emergency rule Pakistan wakes to emergency rule
(about 1 hour later)
Pakistani opposition leaders and activists have been detained in the wake of President Pervez Musharraf's decision to declare emergency rule.Pakistani opposition leaders and activists have been detained in the wake of President Pervez Musharraf's decision to declare emergency rule.
The acting head of the party of exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif was arrested, while ex-cricketer and politician Imran Khan said he was under house arrest.The acting head of the party of exiled former PM Nawaz Sharif was arrested, while ex-cricketer and politician Imran Khan said he was under house arrest.
Senior lawyers have also been detained, including heads of bar associations.Senior lawyers have also been detained, including heads of bar associations.
Gen Musharraf has defended his decision, saying he could not allow the country to commit suicide.Gen Musharraf has defended his decision, saying he could not allow the country to commit suicide.
He said Pakistan was in a crisis caused by militant violence and a judiciary which had paralysed the government.He said Pakistan was in a crisis caused by militant violence and a judiciary which had paralysed the government.
The moves came as the Supreme Court was due to rule on the legality of Gen Musharraf's October election victory.The moves came as the Supreme Court was due to rule on the legality of Gen Musharraf's October election victory.
Court issue Threat of force
The streets of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, were largely calm on Sunday morning, reports said, although police and paramilitaries manned checkpoints around the parliament and presidential palace.
HAVE YOUR SAY The world is entering into 2008 and still we are at 1958 Nasir, Islamabad Your views on emergency There was dispute over whether the president had effectively declared martial law.
Local newspapers and key opposition leader Benazir Bhutto accused Gen Musharraf of bringing in martial law without effectively declaring it.
But Pakistan's attorney general said the prime minister and parliament remained in place and the civilian government would continue to function.
Before he was taken away by police in the central city of Multan, Javed Hashmi, of Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League, said Gen Musharraf would pay a price for his decision to restrict freedoms.Before he was taken away by police in the central city of Multan, Javed Hashmi, of Nawaz Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League, said Gen Musharraf would pay a price for his decision to restrict freedoms.
The world is entering into 2008 and still we are at 1958 Nasir, Islamabad class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3776&edition=1">Your views on emergency "Musharraf's days are numbered. Time has come to end the political role of the army," he said. "Musharraf's days are numbered. Time has come to end the political role of the army," he said.
As the state of emergency was imposed on Saturday, the chief justice was replaced and the Supreme Court surrounded by troops. class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7076958.stm">In pictures: Emergency rule class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7077136.stm">Declaration: Full text Ms Bhutto, who recently returned to Pakistan from self-imposed exile, flew back to Karachi from a trip abroad upon hearing news of Gen Musharraf's decision.
The court was to decide whether Gen Musharraf was eligible to run for re-election last month while remaining army chief. "We the political parties are calling for the restoration of the constitution, and for the holding of the elections under an independent election commission," she told the BBC.
The BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, says fears were growing in the government that the court could rule against Gen Musharraf. There is no word yet whether she plans to enter dialogue with the president or to lead opposition to his rule in possible elections.
It is not clear whether the parliamentary elections due in January will go ahead. Gen Musharraf made no mention of them in his speech, but he insisted he wanted to restore democracy. However, the BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, notes that the government appears ready to respond to protests with force if necessary.
Suicide warning President defiant
Pakistan has been engulfed in political upheaval in recent months, and the security forces have suffered a series of blows from pro-Taleban militants opposed to Gen Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror". In a TV address on Saturday evening, Gen Musharraf explained his decision, saying the current situation had forced him into making "some very painful decisions".
In a lengthy televised speech late on Saturday, Mr Musharraf said the situation had forced him into making "some very painful decisions". class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7077392.stm">Analysis: Next moves class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7076981.stm">Reaction in quotes Pakistan has been engulfed in political upheaval in recent months, and the security forces have suffered a series of blows from pro-Taleban militants opposed to Gen Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror".
class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7077392.stm">Analysis: Next moves class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7076981.stm">Reaction in quotes "I suspect that Pakistan's sovereignty is in danger unless timely action is taken.
"I suspect that Pakistan's sovereignty is in danger unless timely action is taken," he said.
He insisted his decisions were made for the benefit of Pakistan.
"Extremists are roaming around freely in the country, and they are not scared of law-enforcement agencies," the president said."Extremists are roaming around freely in the country, and they are not scared of law-enforcement agencies," the president said.
As well as defending emergency rule to the Pakistani people, Gen Musharraf also appealed directly to his Western allies for patience.
"Kindly understand the criticality of the situation in Pakistan and around Pakistan. Pakistan is on the verge of destabilisation," he said.
"Inaction at this moment is suicide for Pakistan and I cannot allow this country to commit suicide.""Inaction at this moment is suicide for Pakistan and I cannot allow this country to commit suicide."
Condemnation Court issue
Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who recently returned to the country after years of self-exile to lead her party in planned parliamentary elections, was in Dubai on a personal visit when news of the declaration broke. Following the announcement of emergency rule, the country's chief justice was replaced and the Supreme Court surrounded by troops.
She immediately flew back to Karachi where she condemned Gen Musharraf's decision, saying emergency rule had been imposed so elections could be avoided.
In pictures: Emergency rule Declaration: Full text
"We the political parties are calling for the restoration of the constitution, and for the holding of the elections under an independent election commission," she told the BBC.
She said the international community should use its influence with Gen Musharraf to "press him on the restoration of the constitution, the reinstatement of the judges and the release of the political prisoners".
Ms Bhutto's return from self-imposed exile last month came about with the co-operation of Gen Musharraf.
But it is now unclear whether she will lead opposition against the president, or will wait on the sidelines in the hopes of securing an agreement with him, our correspondent says.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the declaration of emergency rule was "highly regrettable" and called upon Pakistan to have free and fair elections.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband also expressed concern, saying it was vital Pakistan's government "abides by the commitment to hold free and fair elections on schedule".
New chief justice
Gen Musharraf's address echoed the text of the declaration of emergency rule, which opens with a reference to the "grave threat" posed by the "visible ascendancy in the activities of extremists and incidents of terrorist attacks".
Gen Musharraf moved quickly to appoint a new chief justiceThe political and judicial core of Islamabad has been shut down, but the rest of the city is functioning normally, our correspondent says.
Shortly after emergency rule was declared, all private news channels were taken off the air and tough restrictions imposed on the media.
Statements that defame Gen Musharraf, the military or the government are prohibited and statements or pictures from Islamist militants are banned from broadcast or publication.
Our correspondent says it is clear from reading the emergency proclamation that the main target is the judiciary, which is accused of interfering in government policy and weakening the struggle against terrorism.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and eight other judges refused to endorse the emergency order, declaring it unconstitutional, resulting in Mr Chaudhry's dismissal.Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry and eight other judges refused to endorse the emergency order, declaring it unconstitutional, resulting in Mr Chaudhry's dismissal.
A new chief justice has been appointed, officials say. He is Supreme Court judge Abdul Hameed Dogar, a supporter of Gen Musharraf who was a member of the special tribunal appointed to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by Mr Chaudhry. Gen Musharraf moved quickly to appoint a new chief justiceThe Supreme Court was to decide whether Gen Musharraf was eligible to run for re-election last month while remaining army chief.
Our correspondent says fears were growing in the government that the court could rule against Gen Musharraf.
It is not now clear whether the parliamentary elections due in January will go ahead. Gen Musharraf made no mention of them in his speech, but he insisted he wanted to restore democracy.
Nevertheless, Pakistani lawyers, who have lead opposition to recent curbs on the Supreme Court by Gen Musharraf, announced they would strike on Monday in protest at the president's decision.
International figures expressed concern at Gen Musharraf's move.
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the declaration of emergency rule was "highly regrettable" and called upon Pakistan to have free and fair elections.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said it was vital Pakistan's government "abides by the commitment to hold free and fair elections on schedule".
In neighbouring Afghanistan, officials said they were following the situation carefully and urged a swift "normalisation".